Woodworking blog entries tagged with 'guitar'

This is a Wood Whisperer first: a series featuring an aspiring luthier, Rick Urschel. Rick takes us through the process of building a classic guitar from a kit available at LMII.com. This is Rick’s first attempt at a guitar, and as such, I am not presenting this as a “how-to”. Instead, this is just one man’s experience as he works his butt off making a beautiful guitar for his wife. I think you are really going to enjoy it. A special thanks to Rick for allowing me to “Whisperize” his content!

Time, just now, doesn’t allow many words to describe this process. It’s my first attempt an an acoustic guitar. I hope I have taken enough photographs to tell the story. Other than the spruce soundboard, much of the instrument is made from bits and pieces from the shed.
Ah yes, I started to make jigs five years ago!
This is why I made the thicknessing sander!
To Part Two

I have not made an instrument for a while, and some would say I have not built one this time either…
My son has done a video demontrating the tuning, setup and playing of a strumstick.
Squaring up the strumstick blanks
On another WW Forum a while ago there was a post about building a Dulcitar or sometimes called strumstick. I said it would be cool to make a few of these for some fun. Not too much work, but a chance to hone the luthier skills for a change. I read the plans ...

I’ve been rather busy with life the last couple years, but I’m finally back in the shop and up to no good again! Here’s what I’m up to for anyone who’s interested…
A few years back I was conversing with a co-worker and fellow guitar player. Aware I was an amateur woodworker, he suggested I build a guitar. “Luthiery requires special tools and skills…training. Naw, I couldn’t do that,” I said.
Google search.
Fast forward to la...

Was inspired by the Randall Price series on building a tenor acoustic guitar and figured my wood working skills had reached the point where I could attempt a guitar, albeit an electric one.
I’m slightly obsessive about using recycled wood whenever I can and am often going through people’s old furniture where I have salvaged some quite nice wood over the years. This time around a friend was throwing out an old beat up kitchen table while I was helping her move house. It seemed...

The exciting conclusion to Rick’s adventure into the world of lutherie. Rick does an incredible job recovering from his previous, nearly disastrous mistake. He takes us through the final assembly as well as his finishing process, which involves a number of techniques including pore-filling, French polish, and wiping varnish. Congratulations to Rick and a huge thank you for letting me tear up your video footage. I know more than a few folks have been inspired to dive into the wonderful w...

Well, I have been working on this project for a little while now, the good portion of the summer. This is my first try at doing a bent form project. I was inspired after seeing Ken Dixon’s project from last year as seen here.
I found a really nice piece of curly maple lumber online that I was going to use for the project. It was about the right size and 5/4” to give me some wiggle room. I have never used any curly wood like this before so I was pretty nervous to start cutting i...

I recently purchased a book called the Handmade Music Factory by Mike Orr. I had seen another book on the topic reviewed here several weeks ago and that stirred my interest. I haven’t played an instrument since I was forced to take several years of piano lessons by my mom some 35 years ago, but I just finished to large coffee table projects and wanted something new to start.
I read through the book and decided to start with a three-string, fretless guitar, I stopped at the local c...